Effects of Ergonomic Interventions on Health Indicators in a Rubber Industry

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to determine the impact of engineering, organizational, and individual ergonomic interventions on the percentage of workers complaining Musculoskeletal disorders, inappropriate work environment, exposure to manual handling, and the rate of sick-leave in workers of rubber industry.
 Methods: This was a descriptive-analytical and retrospective study conducted in the production department of a rubber manufacturing industry. Ergonomic interventions, which have been fully implemented and have been stable in the industry, were included in the study. Health indicators were determined by reviewing completed Nordic questionnaires, insurance documents, and the documents about different methods of ergonomic risk assessment before and after each intervention. Before and after comparing the indicators, paired t and Wilcoxon tests were done. Results: Ergonomic interventions included 114 engineering, 20 organizational, and 7 individual interventions. Engineering interventions had a significant effect on all the indicators such as reducing total MSDs) 66%). Organizational interventions led to the improvement of the index of MSDs (60%), inappropriate posture (55%) and pain intensity (30%). Individual interventions had a significant effect on MSDs (85.71%) and sick-leaves (100%) (P<0.05).
 Conclusion: All the types of ergonomic interventions in the production sector of the rubber industry have been effective in reducing MSDs. Engineering interventions have had a significant impact on all the health indicators considered in this study; they are highly effective in the rubber industry, and it is better to implement them together with organizational or individual interventions for better results.